A1 I think Ss today should have more opportunities to write (like I did with several articles per month on news staff) and receive both peer and teacher feedback in the editing stage. #rethinkela
#rethinkela A1: Diagramming, underline the subjects once and verbs twice, circle the adjectives and adverbs and draw an arrow to the word it modifies, and a lot of worksheets/bookwork. Today's Ss should learn the rules, write examples, and then apply it into their writing.
A1 I also think too many Ss think they are bad writers if they are not good at grammar. But some of the best storytellers I have also had some of the worst grammar in their first drafts. #reThinkELA
A2 I have been known to play the Word Crimes video by Weird Al. It's not completely accurate, but the Ss love it and therefore pay attention #rethinkelahttps://t.co/xRTdvyV2dW
A2 Also, our Ss have to take the ACT as juniors to graduate. Since the ACT English section has a ton of grammar, I can tie that in as an immediate reason to learn grammar. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A2: I like to show Ss grammar mistakes that I see in stores, in ads, or in commercials. I also talked with some Cameron professors, and they gave me the top 10 grammar mistakes that college students make. I focus my grammar instruction on those mistakes.
It seems to me that the most effective method of teaching it is through the Ss own writing, with 1-1 feedback. Also, pulling sentences from books/articles and examine the grammar. Still working on finding good material that shows specific elements. #rethinkela
I keep getting lost in the meaning of what I'm reading and often forget to look back at the grammar. I need to make a point to do this over the break... #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A3: I introduce the rules, maybe through stations set up around the room. Ss walk around and practice using the rule in puzzles, correcting a paragraph, or describing pictures. Then, they use it in their writing, so they learn it, practice it, and then apply it.
#rethinkela A4: So, I rhymed all the grammar, punctuation, and comma rules. Learning all these rules requires practice, which means if Ss learn the rules, they still use the rules at the end of the year. They learn it, practice it, and apply it, over and over again.
A1 I used good old fashioned worksheets. I diagrammed sentences. I memorized the prepositions. I was told why grammar is important. I didn't have social media... I think with today's ever changing communication, grammar is important but needs to be taught in a new way #reThinkELA
A5 Perhaps it's because of texting, but Ss struggle remembering to capitalize. They know the rules, but just don't think to use them when drafting. Then struggle to find all the little "i"s when editing. LOL #reThinkELA
A1 grammar has to be more engaging!!! It has to be practical and quick. Now more than ever it has to be clear WHY it's important. And I think that importance needs to be self-motivated and researched by students #reThinkELA
Yes! I see that too. So my next A5 is the comma splice and the fused/run-on sentence. They just string their thoughts together. But when I point out what they've done, they see exactly what I'm talking about. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A5: My Ss have problems with run-on sentences. I showed them how to write compound sentences three different ways and how to correct run-on sentences. It's going to take lots of practice, over and over again.
I like the idea of self-motivated and researched by Ss. I'm having my Ss create a style guide in which they create slides that give the rules they need for writing papers/ACT study, and examples. It's created by them and mean to be used during the writing process. #reThinkELA
A2 a lot of our communication in class is written. A lot of the reasons why students are confused about things in other classes is because of how it is communicated. Grammar can help us all be on the same page. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A5: Here's my rhyme for compound sentences: Two sentences joined by a conjunction, add a comma to complete the function. And, but, or, nor, for, & so, These are the conjunctions that you need to know.
A3 I stole sentence structure lessons from The Curly Classroom (if they're on Twitter, please hook a sister up) and through those lessons I can easily teach comma placement and colon/semicolon use. It makes it more immediately applicable than an isolated lesson #reThinkELA
A6: As I read student writing and notice the same mistake again and again, I stop everything and we do a mini-lesson on that particular thing. Within a couple weeks, we've hit the major issues. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A6:For the first three weeks of school, I go over the Top 10 college grammar mistakes and how to correct them. When Ss write, they have to use a few of the grammar rules in their writing. Practicing it & associating a rule with something else helps them remember it.
#rethinkela A7: I have a checklist that Ss have to use before they turn in a draft of a paper. It relates to grammar, word choices, and documenting research. Overtime they write, they have to use this list. Learn, practice, and apply.
A8 I have Ss who have amazing stories to tell and who can weave a very compelling story. But their grammar stinks. Counting off for each error and putting a bad grade on the paper just makes Ss think they can't write. Not true. #reThinkELA
A8 I want my Ss to know they're all writers, to be encouraged to tell their stories. I want them to know it's OK to struggle with grammar. Hey! That's what they make editors for. But it's easier in the editing stage if you use the grammar you know in drafting. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A8: I only mark the same mistakes a few times in the paper. Ss need to take ownership for their writing and become editors. Maybe, focus on one mistake at a time, so Ss will learn how to correct it. Go to Staples and have them make a stamp to check off the rules.
I've got a checklist, too. I also think having a real audience helps Ss realize the importance of grammar. They did amazing editing jobs on their thank you letters for the Chromebooks that were donated to our class. #reThinkELA
A8 I killed myself last year in prep AP English because I thought I needed to mark every single thing. News flash: even AP kids don't read all the notes/corrections. Don't kill yourself. Tackle one thing at a time. Conference. Take a deep breath. Also, this is my cbook background
A9 I tell my Ss not to fixate on grammar during drafting and revising. Then we work on repairing our mistakes during the editing phase. This way they can concentrate on their message first, then the format/mechanics later. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A9: Use the rules over and over again in their writing, and have them edit and revise their papers over and over again. Sometimes, I have my seniors revise/edit the essays that my 9th graders write.
A9 #reThinkELA rubrics with grammar expectations are helpful from prompt to final draft. Having the expectations/reminders visible is important. I plan on making little table cards (like at restaurants) with reminders of the basics of good grammar throughout the writing process
A8: I only count off for grammar if it's "formal" writing. We go through our rules for formal writing, and when I assign writing I make sure I tell Ss if it's formal or not. Otherwise, it's a draft and mistakes are ok. We edit & learn to correct. #reThinkELA
Q8: I do count off for misspelled words on any writing if it's written in a word doc or google docs (since it's easy to check spelling in word processors). #reThinkELA
Google docs actually has a function within its own tools to read it aloud. I'll look back at my notes and get back to you. The ones we played with weren't great... But they're helpful. #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A10: I do editing islands where Ss walk to different essays and revise and edit for the mistakes that they have to look for while on their island. I also play Hawaiian music as they revise/edit essays.
A9 I have a grammar rubrics and checklists based on the 6+1 traits of writing available through my mailing list. You can check them out here: https://t.co/94DZrUWkFK#reThinkELA
A10: when the situation allows, I pair strong kids with those who struggle. Since the strong have fewer mistakes, it's easier for the struggling kids to review and they see strong writing. Gives the strong kids more practice at editing. #reThinkELA
A10 I have Ss in groups and we use Google Docs. So I make sure a strong writer is in each group, and I have Ss share their writing with each other. They use the commenting system and suggestion mode. #reThinkELA
I've discovered I have to be careful with suggestion mode if I'm editing though. Ss will just accept everything I suggest instead of taking ownership and questioning me. #reThinkELA
#reThinkELA BONUS: my mentor teacher when I was a student teacher was a grammar fascist for real (fascist seems more PC). She was very, very old school but those kids knew their way around a sentence. In her prime, she did a great job of making reasons behind rules clear.
#rethinkela A10: Thank you, Mrs. Retz, who was my English teacher from 7th grade through 11th grade. it was all about grammar, and i didn't write my first essay until i went to college. That was thirty years ago.
You are exactly right. And we need to help build the confidence of those timid Riders. When they start seeing themselves as writers, they will be more interested in writing correctly. #reThinkELA
We're a small school, kids have all grown up together, so for the most part they trust each other and know they won't be made fun of. Ss genuinely want to help each other improve. #reThinkELA
